Local singer goes for win on 'America's Got Talent'

FILE PHOTO - Fernando Varela performs during Mass at St. Paul National Catholic Church in Belleview, Fla. on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013. Varela and the group he created, "Forte," are rising to the top on America's Got Talent.

Published: Monday, September 16, 2013 at 11:06 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, September 16, 2013 at 11:06 a.m.

FILE PHOTO - Fernando Varela performs during Mass at St. Paul National Catholic Church in Belleview, Fla. on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013. Varela and the group he created, "Forte," are rising to the top on America's Got Talent.

Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Star-Banner

Facts

Tuesday

• All six finalists, including Forte, perform at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

• 9 p.m., NBC

Wednesday

• Season finale. Winner announced.

•9 p.m., NBC

Fernando Varela, music director of St. Paul Parish National Catholic Church in Belleview, is part of Forte, an operatic trio that has reached the finals of NBC's hit show "America's Got Talent."

Tonight, the six entertainment groups will perform for a national TV audience, a live audience in New York City, and for judges Mel B., Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Howard Stern.

Then the public will vote.

And on Wednesday, the winner of the competition — and a $1 million prize — will be announced.

Count on a pro-Forte showing from precincts in Belleview and The Villages.

"There's a lot of anticipation and also, of course, a lot of prayer," said the Rev. Mark J. Niznik, pastor at St. Paul.

Varela, understandably, was absent from Mass on Sunday.

"There's a lot of prep work to do" and rehearsals, Niznik said.

But the entire parish is still thinking of him and rooting for him.

"The whole parish is one big fan," Niznik said.

Chief among the cheerleaders is Niznik's mom, Jean Pierro, who lives in The Villages and attends her son's church.

She'll be watching — and voting — tonight at home with her husband, Angelo. Her daughter, Debbie Niznik, will be watching at home in Lady Lake.

"I'm all excited and nervous at the same time," Mrs. Pierro said.

She said Varela is a humble man, even after all this national excitement, and she credits the Holy Spirit.

"When it's time for him to sing," Mrs. Pierro said, "he calms himself."

Contact Jim Ross at 671-6412 or jim.ross@ocala.com. Follow him on Twitter @jimross96.

<p>BELLEVIEW — Belleview's got talent. And if the rest of the nation doesn't know it by now, it will in the next two days.</p><p>Fernando Varela, music director of St. Paul Parish National Catholic Church in Belleview, is part of Forte, an operatic trio that has reached the finals of NBC's hit show "America's Got Talent."</p><p>Tonight, the six entertainment groups will perform for a national TV audience, a live audience in New York City, and for judges Mel B., Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Howard Stern.</p><p>Then the public will vote.</p><p>And on Wednesday, the winner of the competition — and a $1 million prize — will be announced.</p><p>Count on a pro-Forte showing from precincts in Belleview and The Villages.</p><p>"There's a lot of anticipation and also, of course, a lot of prayer," said the Rev. Mark J. Niznik, pastor at St. Paul.</p><p>Varela, understandably, was absent from Mass on Sunday.</p><p>"There's a lot of prep work to do" and rehearsals, Niznik said.</p><p>But the entire parish is still thinking of him and rooting for him.</p><p>"The whole parish is one big fan," Niznik said.</p><p>Chief among the cheerleaders is Niznik's mom, Jean Pierro, who lives in The Villages and attends her son's church.</p><p>She'll be watching — and voting — tonight at home with her husband, Angelo. Her daughter, Debbie Niznik, will be watching at home in Lady Lake.</p><p>"I'm all excited and nervous at the same time," Mrs. Pierro said.</p><p>She said Varela is a humble man, even after all this national excitement, and she credits the Holy Spirit.</p><p>"When it's time for him to sing," Mrs. Pierro said, "he calms himself."</p><p>Contact Jim Ross at 671-6412 or jim.ross@ocala.com. Follow him on Twitter @jimross96.</p>